Abstract: Four curcumin derivatives were synthesized from curucmin and maleic anhydride by esterification, isomerization, chlorination and esterification. The yields of curcumin derivatives c1-c4 were 80.5%, 83.7%, 81.2% and 85.4%, respectively. Their structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The antioxidative and antibacterial activities of target compounds c1-c4 were evaluated. The IC₅₀ values for scavenging of DPPH· were 164.14±0.82, 166.98±0.66, 171.97±0.99 and 175.10±2.34 mg/L, respectively. Their antioxidative activity was lower than that of curcumin (36.22±0.22 mg/L). This proved the importance of phenolic OH. The target compounds c1-c4 displayed high antibacterial activity, especially compound c4. The minimal inhibiting concentration(MIC) of c4 against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus niger were 0.5, 0.5, 0.25 and 1.0 g/L, respectively. There is hope to obtain antibacterial candidates by curcumin modification with α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Key words: curcumin derivatives, synthesis, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity CLC number:TQ35, R914.5